Forest for the Trees, barrel-aged saison

Byron Bay-based Forest for the Trees has launched its latest barrel-aged saison.

The brewing company said that following the success of its inaugural Forest for the Trees Saison, it has now produced a French oak barrel-aged saison.

The beer rested in the chardonnay wine barriques for six months prior to blending and bottling, giving it a clean, dry and zesty finish.

Forest for the Trees says the French barriques offer vanillin oak undertones, complementing the spicy, yeasty and fruity aromatics of the beer, which also has notes of coconut and mint.

Forest for the Trees Barrel Aged Saison is available in 375ml bottles in limited quantities via Square Keg.

Two Birds Brewing, Solstista Black IPA

Yesterday Two Birds Brewing launched its latest beer, a Solstista Black IPA.

Inspired by the longest night, Two Birds’ Solstista Black IPA gets its appearance from Carafa Special Malt.

It contains three varieties of US hops, delivering notes of citrus and pine, plus notes of dark berry fruits.

The keg-only beer comes in at 6% abv. In Victoria, it’s available at the Two Birds’ Nest, University House, Bar Josephine, The Mallow, Hop Temple, Hop Heads and Big Ears

In New South Wales, the Clarendon Hotel, The Grain Store and Windsor RSL stock the Solstista Black IPA.

Newstead Brewing, Westerlies Winter Lager

Newstead Brewing is set to launch its Westerlies Winter Lager tomorrow, intended to combat Queensland’s chilly 25-degree winters.

The Westerlies Winter Lager is a 4.9% abv lager, designed for a ‘colder’ climate.

Newstead said it has dialled back the black malts to round out the finish and let the roasted malt character combine with the hop spice.

Find Westerlies first on tap and in tins at both of Newstead’s brewpubs on Doggett Street in Newstead and Castlemaine Street in Milton this Saturday, 1st June as winter officially arrives.

It will be available from local bottle shops next week.